Comparative study of the catalytic growth of patterned carbon nanotube films

Three different catalysts (Fe, Ni, Co nitrates dissolved in ethanol) were patterned on a SiO2/Si substrate and multi-wall carbon nanotubes were grown by catalytic decomposition of acetylene. We compare the growth of the carbon nanostructures in the temperature range between 580 degreesC and 1000 degreesC. With our experimental setup the catalyst solutions of cobalt and nickel were found to be less efficient than the one of iron. An optimal production of multi-wall nanotubes was observed at temperatures between 650 degreesC and 720 degreesC with the iron solution as catalyst. We found a tendency towards thicker structures with higher temperatures. Finally, we suggest a mechanism for the growth of these carbon structures. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.